As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season approaches, Kyle Busch is openly addressing the ongoing struggles Richard Childress Racing (RCR) faces in finding competitive speed. The two-time NASCAR Cup champion, now 40, recognizes that these issues have prevented his #8 team from regularly contending for wins and higher points finishes.
Busch’s move to RCR in 2023 from Joe Gibbs Racing initially showed promise, with three victories in the first 15 races. However, since that strong start, the team’s overall performance has deteriorated. He finished 14th in points in 2023 after an early playoff exit, followed by consecutive seasons missing the playoffs and ending 20th and 21st in the standings.
Ongoing Struggles Impact Both Busch and Teammates
Busch’s teammate, Austin Dillon, has also faced difficulties, only making the playoffs in 2025 by winning at Richmond, yet being eliminated in the first round and finishing near the bottom of the playoff leaderboard. Both drivers appear to be hindered by a lack of speed in their cars, forcing aggressive driving that often results in accidents and poor finishes. This cycle pushes Busch further down the points while amplifying the pressure to extract more performance.
Busch specifically highlighted qualifying as a significant weakness for RCR, a factor that considerably damages their ability to secure stage points and strong race positioning throughout the season.
“That’s probably our number one holdback with RCR, is just that we don’t tend to qualify good and hold on to the first stage points. That’s where we really get hurt throughout the season, is just our stage points and how much we have there, so we’ve got to get better on all that. So we’ll see.”
Concerns Over Changing Playoff Format and Its Impact
The 2026 season also marks a return to the 10-race Chase playoff format, which eliminates the “win and you’re in” rule. Busch expressed skepticism about reinstating the Chase, recalling why the format was abandoned previously and voicing concerns about how it will affect championship contention amid today’s unpredictable racing.
According to Busch, with aggressive driving and frequent incidents, it’s possible that several top drivers could experience bad races simultaneously. This shift places greater emphasis on accruing consistent stage points during the regular season and excelling in qualifying to secure favorable starting positions.
“I thought we got away from it for a reason in the past, so I’m not real sure why we went back to it. The reason why we sort of went away from it was obviously Jimmie Johnson’s dominance… With the racing, the way that it is today and everybody running over everybody all the time, you might see everybody that all 16 of us have a, have a bad race. So, you know, if all of us have a bad race, then that could just sort of be construed as your throwaway and you got to be good in the other nine, but you know, who’s to say, we don’t know. We’ll see how it plays out, but obviously everybody’s going to look towards the regular season and maximizing all the stage points, things like that, points racing basically. And you know, that lends itself to having to qualify good on Saturdays in order to be up there up front, holding on to your track position for the first stage, getting that first stage point.”
Speculation About Busch’s Future Amid RCR Challenges
With Busch’s current contract ending after the 2026 season, speculation continues about his potential moves depending on how he and RCR perform. Should other teams face open seats—such as Hendrick Motorsports’ #48 car or 23XI Racing’s #45—Busch is considered a strong candidate for those rides. His brother Kurt Busch previously drove the #45 car, adding an additional storyline to any possible switch.
Ultimately, Busch’s fortunes in 2026 will largely depend on improvements in qualifying speed and race consistency. A strong season could quiet any rumors about his future and solidify his position at RCR going forward.
“I thought we got away from it for a reason in the past, so I’m not real sure why we went back to it.”
The Road Ahead Hinges on Qualifying Success
Kyle Busch has made clear that addressing Richard Childress Racing’s qualifying difficulties is critical to reversing his recent struggles. Improving starting positions will enable him and the team to compete more effectively for stage points, avoid mid-race incidents, and increase their chances of a playoff run.
As Busch and RCR prepare for the new season, their ability to adapt to the Chase format and enhance car speed will be closely watched by fans and rivals alike. The 2026 season promises to be a pivotal chapter for Busch’s career and the future direction of RCR.
🤔 "I thought we got away from it for a reason in the past, so I'm not real sure why we went back to it."
Kyle Busch shares his thoughts on The Chase returning, consistency, and the importance of winning, saying it still rewards the bigger teams.
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— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) February 2, 2026
